AllOutdoor Review – Redfield Vector 12 Gauge Inertia Semi-Auto Shotgun

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AllOutdoor Review – Redfield Vector 12 Gauge Inertia Semi-Auto Shotgun

Redfield is a legendary brand that many of us grew up on. From riflescopes to binoculars, mounting accessories, and more, it is a name that is more than a brand, it carries a reputation with itself. Formerly owned by Leupold, it changed hands over the past few decades and we thought it was gone forever, but Academy Sports + Outdoors is resurrecting the brand and restoring it back to prominence. To the surprise of many, Academy Sports + Outdoors is also bringing shotguns into the Redfield suite of products. This is incredibly intriguing as this has never happened before throughout the existence of the Redfield name. As Redfield’s first foray into firearms begins, AllOutdoor was invited down to Uvalde, Texas to test the newly-announced Redfield Vector 12 Gauge inertia-driven, semi-auto shotgun on some classic dove hunts. Let’s dive into our experiences with the new Redfield Vector!

Shotgun Coverage on AllOutdoor

Specifications – Redfield Vector 12 Gauge Inertia Semi-Auto Shotgun

The Redfield Vector 12 Gauge inertia-driven, semi-auto shotgun is a tailored hunting shotgun that retails for $449 at full MSRP, and is available exclusively at Academy Sports + Outdoors. We were informed by Redfield and Academy Sports + Outdoors that more offerings will be on the way in the future, but for now, this is their lone semi-auto shotgun selection. All of the important specifications for the Redfield Vector 12 Gauge can be read below as presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors:

SKU: 156736292
Item: 181036
Brand: Redfield
Model: Vector
Action Type: Semi-Auto, Inertia-driven system
Gauge/Chamber: 12 Gauge 3″
Capacity: 3+1

Barrel: 28″ Vented High Rib, Deep Bore Drilled, Steel Barrel
Finish (Stock & Forearm): Mossy Oak Bottomlands Camouflage (hydrodip application)
Finish (Receiver & Barrel): Black, Aluminum, Semi-Gloss Finish
Handedness: Right-Handed
Recoil Pad: Rubber/Microcell Blend
Overall Length: 49.53″

Length-of-Pull (LOP): 14.76″
Drop at Heel: 2.01″
Drop at Comb: 1.38″
Overall Weight: 6 Lb 13 Oz
Trigger Pull Weight: 7 1/2 Lb
Choke Tubes: 5 Flush-Fit, Crio/Mobil Pattern Chokes (Cylinder/Improved Cylinder/Modified/Improved Modified/Full)

As always, in the rare event that you should ever need service for your firearm, Academy Sports + Outdoors has a Limited 3-Year Warranty that stands behind all of their firearms. While I never experienced any issues with the Vector shotguns we are about to discuss from our dove hunt, it is nice to know that you have that safety net and support from Academy Sports + Outdoors as well as Redfield.

Features & Benefits – Redfield Vector 12 Gauge Inertia Semi-Auto Shotgun

Outside of the traditional black and white specs of a product that can be a touch boring to read about are the features and benefits. The elements we will want to know as hunters and shooters. So, whether we are trying to break a clay pigeon or harvest a bird, we have the knowledge and data in hand to be best prepared to do that. Some of the more prominent features and benefits for the Redfield Vector 12 Gauge Inertia Semi-Auto Shotgun are listed below as presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors:

TruGlo Fiber Optic front sight with Brass Mid Bead
Ambidextrous, Cross-Bolt, Push Button Intercepter Trigger Safety
Enlarged loading port
Microcell blend recoil pad
Shell restrictor plug installed
5 Crio-pattern Flush Chokes

A Word from Redfield on their NEW Vector 12 Gauge Shotgun

Get ready for your next hunting or sporting clays outing with the Redfield Vector 12 Gauge Semiautomatic Shotgun. It is an inertia- driven semiautomatic with a 3-round magazine capacity. The barrel is 28-inches long, and its stock and foreend are hydrodipped with Mossy Oak New Bottomlands camo. The fiber-optic front sight with brass mid-bead finishes off the design.

What’s the Upsell? What’s the 30-Second Elevator Pitch?

So, what’s the upsell? What’s the metaphorical – and literal – 30-second elevator pitch? For the Refield Vector 12 Gauge, you’re looking at several prominent traits that might tip the scale in favor of Redfield as opposed to a competing manufacturer’s semi-auto shotgun at a similar price-point.

5 Crio-pattern Flush Chokes – Crio choke tubes have been cryogenically frozen and the longer, precision-machined design of the choke tubes help create denser, more consistent shot patterns by reducing resistance against the shot and wad.
Mossy Oak Bottomlands Camouflage – A camouflage pattern that is so popular that it has spanned generations and has the potential to match your hunting clothes and gear as well as your father’s, and grandfather’s, too.
MSRP of only $449 – With a price this affordable, you’ll have plenty of money left over for gear, ammunition, and other essentials to ensure that your next hunt is a successful one.

What’s in the Box?

One of the most common and recurring questions I receive reviewing firearms and their related products is, “what’s in the box?” Meaning, what do you all get with your purchase. This is important because what you do and do not get will dictate what type of accessories you need to additionally buy depending on what you want your end-product or hunting setup to look like. All this being said, this is everything that you will receive:

Redfield Vector 12 Gauge Inertia Semiautomatic Shotgun
5 Crio-pattern Flush Choke Tubes
Gun Lock
Owner’s Manual

Range Use – Redfield Vector 12 Gauge Inertia Semi-Auto Shotgun

So, how did the Redfield Vector 12 Gauge perform out on the range?… Before we were going to head into the field for several days of Texas dove hunting, we first spent some time on a flat range getting acquainted with the Redfield Vector 12 Gauge. The overall weight for this shotgun is listed at 6 Lb 13 Oz and I actually thought the shotgun weighed less than that while handling it. It has a good balance to it, points really nice for a non-custom shotgun, and swings well. It is easy to wield and pull up on clay pigeons.

With the inertia system that it uses the recoil was very soft as well. I shot anywhere from 75 – 100 shells getting used to this shotgun before going hunting and recoil impulse was very light. Yes, trap loads are light to begin with, but this was super pleasant to shoot in high volumes.

While I was fortunate enough to be invited down to Texas to experience the Redfield Vector 12 Gauge in person, I wasn’t the only one. There was a group of great guys and gals who I got to know over the span of several days and they all echoed my same sentiments from the range that this shotgun was easy to handle, quick reacting, light-recoiling, and generally light to be toting around all day. All hallmark traits that you would hope for in a hunting shotgun – and that would be put to the test in short order.

Day #1 of Dove Hunting in Texas – Redfield Vector 12 Gauge Inertia Semi-Auto Shotgun

For this classic-style dove hunt we went on in Texas, it was held at the 501 Ranch – a premier south Texas ranch in Uvalde, TX – with endless opportunities for all manner of hunting across 9,000+ acres of land. Our guides were wonderful: before the hunt to mentally prepare us, during to get us on a lot of birds, and afterwards by cleaning our birds, congratulating us, and bringing the whole experience full circle.

For day one, we headed out into the early morning dark towards an area that should produce a lot of opportunities on doves. We positioned ourselves around a chopped field with an irrigation pivot in the middle. The hope was that once the sun came up doves would pour into the field to feed and we would get shot opportunities as they were entering the field. Our guides couldn’t have been more right.

Once dawn broke we began to see doves come into the field in droves. Their flight was very erratic – something akin to the flight pattern of bats – so, it made for very challenging shots and a perfect opportunity for the Redfield Vector to prove itself (as long as the schmuk guy behind the gun – me – did his part).

Most of us invited on this hunt and introduction to the Redfield Vector were grouped in pairs while hunting. I couldn’t have been more out of my depth than being paired with Steve Gould – world-class shooter, Godly man, trick shooter, teacher, and famous for Gould Brothers exhibition shoots and his Target Focused Life company. While I am a good hunter and shooter in my own right, there are levels to everything, and Steve Gould is on an entirely different level. It was both humbling and super rad to hunt alongside him.

With ample opportunities presented to us, we had a literal blast getting our limits. Steve made quick work of the doves presented to him getting his 15 bird limit in short order. I came up a bit short getting 12, which I was quite content with because I had never hunted doves before. I missed plenty (entirely my fault), but I also connected on some pretty difficult shots as well. The shotgun was swift to get on target, light-recoiling so we could see our hits, and for a shotgun that only costs $449 at full MSRP, we had zero issues with ours. I walked away from that first day quite impressed.

Day #2 of Dove Hunting in Texas – Redfield Vector 12 Gauge Inertia Semi-Auto Shotgun

For day #2 of dove hunting on the 501 Ranch in Texas, we headed to a different part of the ranch property, but with a similar mentality. We were on a field with an irrigation pivot, once again, looking to harvest doves before they entered the field that we were positioned in. This morning of hunting was especially beautiful was we had a sprinkle of rain come through and it lit up the morning sky as the sun peaked through.

The touch of moisture slowed the doves’ morning movement, but after awhile they began to descend on the field we were on and the action picked up. On day #1, the doves came in a lot lower to the ground and were very erratic. For day #2, they seemed to be flying a lot higher. This could be attributed to a multitude of factors – the rain beforehand, higher trees near the field edge, or even wiser birds – but one thing was certain, it made for a challenging and unique hunt for day #2.

Once again, being paired with Steve Gould, he stacked doves quickly and I got roughly the same amount as well (either 12 or 13 birds, I authentically forget). With what seemed like higher flying birds and less of them moving on day #2, we were both happy with our success rate and harvest numbers. The same attributes that we appreciated on day #1 manifested again on day #2: lightweight, easy-to-handle, light-recoiling, and fast reacting.

Final Thoughts

So, what are my final thoughts on the Redfield Vector 12 Gauge inertia-driven, semi-auto shotgun?… Overall, this shotgun performed really well for the time I was able to hunt, handle, and practice shooting with it. A dove hunt is more challenging than people think because they don’t always have a linear, predictable flight path. This results in difficult shots and needing to be agile, quick, and responsive to situations with your shotgun, which the Redfield Vector 12 Gauge was more than capable of being.

Additionally, this shotgun is insanely affordable, which I place a lot of value in. Yes, there are $2,000 to $10,000 shotguns out in the market that are better, but if a shotgun like this can accomplish 95% of what you want to do for only $449, then sign me up! The only thing I wasn’t able to fully test on this shotgun is more of an endurance test. Seeing how a higher round count might affect this shotgun as well as more extreme environmental factors like severe cold weather, harsh rain, more dirt and grime, etc. Seeing as how well this shotgun performed, I don’t have any doubts the Redfield Vector would pass those hurdles as well.

In closing, thank you to Redfield as well as Academy Sports + Outdoors for inviting AllOutdoor and myself on this hunt to experience the Redfield Vector 12 Gauge inertia-driven, semi-auto shotgun. That is greatly appreciated. As always, let us know all of your thoughts about Redfield (now to include firearms and optics) and their newly announced Vector 12 Gauge inertia-driven, semi-auto shotgun in the Comments below! We always appreciate your feedback. Also, the Vector from Redfield is not their only shotgun. They also have a lineup of pump-action shotguns for hunting and self-defense use. Check out those at Academy Sports + Outdoors as well.

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